Wildlife of Lao PDR: 1999 Status Report - IUCN

Annexes
with respect to the strength of their association with wetlands. Many species in addition to those listed here also occur in wetlands but as
they occur widely and as commonly in other habitats they are not here considered to be wetland species. Attention is given to four
categories of marginal wetlands (narrow forest streams; pools amid otherwise dry land; rocky rivers; and those converted to cultivation).
Species occurring widely in these are distinguished as (i) they have been relatively well recorded by recent surveys and their wetland
microhabitats are potentially well protected within the existing protected area network, (ii) these habitats are not universally considered
wetlands and therefore (iii) are not and should not be foci for wetland conservation efforts to supplement the NBCA system. Consequently,
the species they support may not necessarily be considered as conservation priorities within wetland conservation efforts outside
the NBCA system. Additionally, many species of wetland birds are merely non-breeding visitors in small and often irregular numbers;
their centre of range and / or habitat lies outside Lao PDR. Although rare or scarce in Lao PDR, these species merit little consideration in
wetland conservation planning activities as their occurrence in the country is merely marginal. Taking into account the foregoing factors,
species considered to be indicators of wetland quality and meriting consideration in wetland conservation management action in addition
to NBCA-based activities are placed in bold face. Major concentrations of numbers of the other species may also merit attention.
The information given in this table is a first attempt at presenting species conservation priorities of wetlands in Lao PDR. The lack of
recent survey work in most types of wetlands means that some arbitrariness has been necessary in assigning categories for each species.
This tentativeness emphasises the need for a structured survey programme of the birds and mammals of wetlands across Lao PDR,
concentrating on medium-sized and large marshes and other non-flowing wetlands, and wide lowland rivers.
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